Rachel Evans
Ireland is predominantly Christian, with the largest denomination being the Catholic Church. In the 2022 census, 69.1% of the population identified as Catholic, a decline from 79% in 2016 and 84.2% in 2011. This decline is attributed to an increase in those identifying with no religion, which rose to 14% in 2022. Despite the decline, Catholicism remains the most popular religion in Ireland, with over 3.5 million adherents.
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What You'll Learn
Catholic Church influence on social norms
Roman Catholicism remains the biggest religion in Ireland, with 69.1% (approximately 3.5 million people) identifying as Catholic in the 2022 census. The influence of the Catholic Church on social norms in Ireland has been significant and far-reaching, impacting various aspects of society over the decades.
Historically, the Catholic Church in Ireland has played a pivotal role in shaping social policies. From 1937 until 1995, divorce and remarriage were prohibited in Ireland, reflecting the Catholic viewpoint on marriage. The Church also exerted its influence on matters such as pornography, abortion, and contraception, advocating against these practices. The Health (Family Planning) Act of 1979 demonstrated the Church's ability to sway government decisions, as it resulted in a compromise where contraception could only be obtained with a doctor's prescription from registered chemists. The Church actively supported the 1983 Amendment to the constitution, which introduced a constitutional prohibition of abortion.
The Church's influence extended beyond social policies, as it also held significant control over many state institutions. The Catholic Church was heavily involved in healthcare and education, managing hospitals, schools, and other social services. This influence was particularly prominent under Éamon de Valera, who led the country for much of the first half of the 20th century. De Valera's 1937 constitution recognised the "special position" of the Catholic Church while also granting freedom of religion.
However, in recent decades, Ireland has witnessed a shift towards progressive values and a decline in the influence of the Catholic Church. Weekly Mass attendance has decreased significantly since the 1990s, and the number of people identifying as Catholic has dropped. In 1995, a referendum lifted the ban on divorce, and in 2015, Ireland became the first country to approve same-sex marriage by referendum. In 2018, Ireland further distanced itself from Catholic social norms by legalising abortion through a referendum.
While the Catholic Church's influence on social norms has waned, it remains an essential part of Irish society. The country still has one of the highest rates of regular Mass attendance in Europe, and the Church continues to shape the religious landscape, with a growing interest in Celtic Christianity and evangelical movements within established churches.
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Catholic schools and religious education
Catholicism remains the biggest religion in Ireland, with 69.1% (approximately 3.5 million people) identifying as Catholic in the 2022 census. The next largest group was "no religion" at 14%, with the Eastern Orthodox Church being the second-largest Christian denomination at 2.1%.
Education in Ireland is mostly denominational at the primary and secondary levels, meaning that most schools are associated with a particular religion or Christian denomination. Most national schools at the primary level are publicly funded and organised by the Department of Education. The school's patron or the chair of the board of management will often be a cleric or other religious figure, and the denomination's ethos influences the school's character. However, in subjects other than religion, a standard curriculum is prescribed by the Department of Education for all publicly funded schools. Denominational schools can give priority of admission to pupils of the given denomination, but they cannot refuse to admit pupils based on religion.
The vast majority of primary schools in Ireland are owned or managed by religious organisations. As of 2021, of the national total of 3,126 standard schools, 2,760 (88%) had Catholic patrons, 172 (5.7%) were controlled by the Anglican-associated Church of Ireland, 1% were controlled by other religious organisations, and 168 (5.4%) were controlled by organisations not affiliated with any particular religion.
The prevalence of Catholic schools has been questioned in light of Ireland's changing demographic profile due to secularisation and immigration. The Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, has expressed a desire to divest the archdiocese of some schools to provide more choice for non-Catholic parents. In 2009, he stated that the current denominational system is "not tenable" and that the "current almost monopoly is a historical hangover that doesn't reflect the realities of the times". The Humanist Association of Ireland, Atheist Ireland, and other groups have objected to the denominational system, believing it creates artificial divisions in society.
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Catholic Church and political activism
Catholicism remains the biggest religion in Ireland, with 69.1% (approximately 3.5 million people) identifying as Catholic in the 2022 census. The Catholic Church has played a significant role in shaping the nature of Irish society and politics, especially after independence. The Church's influence was such that it contributed to inadequate state oversight, and its close links with the state during the first four decades of independence gave it a secure position.
The Catholic Church's influence in Ireland has been extensive, impacting various aspects of society. For instance, the Church was involved in the foundation of several pro-migrant organisations, such as the Immigrant Council of Ireland and the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland, through the efforts of Catholic clergy and religious figures. The Church has also had a hand in education, with St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, serving as a national seminary for Ireland since the Maynooth College Act of 1795.
Historically, the Catholic Church in Ireland has generally aligned itself with conservative political interests. During the revolutionary period in the early 20th century, the Church's stance was marked by its opposition to radical change. Despite the presence of socialists like James Connolly and the Irish Citizen Army, the Irish state adopted a conservative approach to social and economic policy, influenced by the power and conservatism of the Catholic Church.
The partition of Ireland reinforced the association between political allegiance and religious affiliation on both sides of the border. In Northern Ireland, the experience of Irish Catholics before the 1960s was one of marginalisation, which further strengthened their determination to secure the Irish Free State. The Church's influence has also been evident in cultural aspects, such as the high rates of regular Mass attendance in Ireland compared to the rest of Europe.
However, the Catholic Church's influence in Ireland has been waning in recent years. There has been a decline in the number of priests, brothers, and nuns, leading to a contraction in the Church's institutional presence. Additionally, Ireland has seen a significant increase in irreligion, with a seven-fold increase between the 1991 and 2016 censuses, further continuing in the 2022 census.
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Catholic Church and healthcare
According to the 2022 census, 69.1% of the population of Ireland identified as Catholic, making it the country's predominant religion. Christianity as a whole accounts for 82.3% of the Irish population. The Catholic Church's influence is evident in various aspects of Irish society, including healthcare.
Historically, orders of nuns played a significant role in establishing many of Ireland's hospitals in the 19th and 20th centuries. The Catholic Church's involvement in healthcare has continued into the present, with the Church being the largest non-government provider of health care services in the world. In Ireland, several hospitals are owned by religious orders, including some of the biggest hospitals in Dublin. This ownership structure has led to instances where medical care and policies have been influenced by Catholic religious views and ethics.
One example of the Catholic Church's influence in Irish healthcare is the prohibition of certain standard medical procedures, such as female sterilisation, which is allowed in non-Catholic-run institutions. Additionally, there have been concerns about the impact of Catholic ethos on the availability of reproductive healthcare for women, including access to abortion services and contraception. The Church's opposition to same-sex marriage and its stance on assisted dying have also been points of contention.
The relationship between the Catholic Church and Irish healthcare is complex and has been the subject of debate and scrutiny. While the Church is entitled to provide health care according to its ethos, there are ongoing discussions about the extent to which it should be funded by the State, particularly when its beliefs and practices conflict with those of the general population and the law of the State.
In recent years, there has been a decline in religiosity and an increase in irreligion in Ireland, which may further shape the relationship between the Catholic Church and healthcare in the country.
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Catholic diaspora and cultural preservation
Catholicism remains the biggest religion in Ireland, with 69.1% (or 3.5 million) of the population identifying as Catholic in the 2022 census. However, this figure has declined from 79% in 2016. The second-largest group after Catholics are those with "no religion", at 14%.
The Catholic Church, as an institution, plays a significant role in preserving the cultural heritage of its communities, especially in the context of the diaspora. The Armenian Catholic Church in Rome, for instance, is actively involved in preserving the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Armenians in the Italian capital. This includes the preservation of historical monuments, sacred art, and liturgy.
The Catholic diaspora is a diverse and complex reality, with varying degrees of detachment from institutional Roman Catholicism. It includes independent Eucharistic communities, such as the Community of St. Peter, which self-describes as Catholic, Eucharistic, and "preserving and renewing a living tradition". These communities often deal with questions and issues that were previously prohibited in institutional settings. The diaspora also encompasses the various branches of Roman Catholic Women Priests and ordained women-led communities.
Migration and the resulting cultural assimilation and preservation are closely linked. Migrants face the challenge of navigating the delicate balance between assimilating into the host society and preserving their native culture, traditions, and languages. This preservation of cultural heritage is crucial for personal and collective identity and well-being, fostering a sense of belonging and continuity amidst the disruptions of migration.
Initiatives like the GFMD Civil Society Mechanism, coordinated by the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC), bring together migrant, diaspora, and civil society groups to advocate for the rights of uprooted people and influence immigration policies. These efforts aim to create more inclusive environments that respect and celebrate cultural diversity, promoting a richer global community.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the 2022 census, 69.1% of the population identified as Catholic.
3.5 million people identified as Catholic in the 2022 census.
Yes, the influence of Catholicism in Ireland has waned due to secularisation, church scandals, and the rise of irreligion.
Christianity is the largest religion in Ireland, with the Catholic Church being the largest denomination.
Irish Catholic identity blends religious devotion with cultural elements such as the Irish language, Gaelic traditions, and a shared history of resilience against oppression. Expressions of this identity include festivals, literature, and community life.
